Lubricating apparatus



Dec. 21 1926.

H. w. SANFORD LUBRICATING APPARATUS Filed June 14 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet -1 Dec. 21 1926. I

. H. w. SANFORD LUBRICATINQ APPARATUS I Fild Juhe 14. 1922 3 Sheets-Shet'2 Dec. 21 1926.

H. W SANFORD LUBRICATING APPARATUS s sheets-sheet 5 Filed June 14. 1922 MK MN 7 Patented Dec. 21,1926.

UNITED STATES F'YP'ATENT' oFFicE.

HUGH W. SANFORD, OI KNOXVILLE. TENNESSEE.

LUBBICATIN G AP PABATUS.

Application filed June 14, 1922 Serial No. 568,220.

This improvement relates. particularly to means, for delivering grease from. a grease gun to a grease receiving member which communicates with the bearing or other structure which is to be lubricated. The invention comprises'a transmission tube and means on the discharge end of the tube for making connectionwith the grease receiving member and for controlling flow of grease through the transmission tube.

Tlie'object of the invention isto provide such anapparatus in a form adapted for connection in relation with grease receivingmembers which .are in positions difficult to reach or offering small space for access to the receivin members. To this end, the mechanism or controlling the flow of the grease through the transmission tube comprises two groups, one group being placed at the discharge end of the-transmission tube and the other group beingplaced on the transmission tube at a suitable distancefrom' the discharge end of the tube, the group of the mechanism at the discharge end of the tube being made small and of such construction as will adapt it to access and connection in relation with grease receivin members in various diflicult positions. T e part of the mechanism at the discharge end of the transmission tube is constructed for autoinatic action, while theother part of the mechanism is constructed for'partial manual working. In operation, the first part or group of the controlling mechanism is put into position at the grease receiving memi181; then a handle forming a part of the second group of mechanism is moved to cause the moving of members for the opening of a valve passage, in'said group to permit forward flow of grease through the transmission tube.

devices as will cause engagement with thegrease receiving member and also effect a valve opening in said group to allow the passing of grease into the receiving member. Such flow will continue until parts of the second group of mechanism are shifted for again cutting off the flow of grease through said group. In the form of the mechanism shown by the drawings, such movement effects backward pressure in the transmission tube toward the grease pump, whereby grease pressure on members of the forward mechanism is reduced. Such reduction fa.-

two

'from' the grease receiving member.

Such flow then exerts such pressure upon the forward group of cilitates the automatic restoring of the parts of the forward mechanism to their rest position for release of the mechanism from the-receivingmember and for again cutting off or closing the rease passage in sai parts. It is intended that the back pressure thus exerted bythe second group of mechanisni shall create in the tube between the cups such partial vacuum as will 'materia 1y assist in the release of the first In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is an elevation illustrating my improved apparatus; a

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of a part of the controlling mechanism at the discharge end of the transmission tube;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section 'on the line,

3 3, of Fig. 2, looking toward the left;

Fig. 4 isa transverse section on the line, 4-4, of Fig. 2, looking toward the left;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line,

5-5, of Fig.2, looking toward the left; ,Fig. 6 is a'transverse section on the line,

6-6,of Fig. 2, looking toward the left;

Fig. 7 is a transverse section on the line,

7- -7, ofFig. 2, looking toward the left Fig. 8 is'a transverse section on the line, 8-8, of Fig. 2, looking toward the left;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section of the second or manual controlling device on the Fig. 14 isa transverse section onthe line, '1414, of Fig. 9, looking toward'the left;

Fig. 15 is a longitudinal section similar'to Fig. 9, parts of the structure being of difierent for-m;

Fig. 16 is a transverse section on the line, -16 '-16, of Fig. 15, looking toward the'left.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 8, inclusive,

through which, grease is driven toward the left by a grease gun. This tube may be the rigid discharge end of a hand grease pump or it maybe a flexible'tube connected with ahand g'rea?se'pump or a power grease pump.

"Said tube, A, is fitted into one end of the group of the drawings, A is a transmission tube as v . ner face ofthe Wall of the body, B.. For ward of said sleeve is an expanding coiled tubular body, B, and immovably secured in said bod as by means of threadingpr solder, A. lmmediately at the front of the tube, A, the body, B, hasa fixed transverse cross-' in, B. At its forward end, the body, B,

as a forked hook, B, which is adapted to extend to opposite sides of the. tubular grease receiving member, E, having a head, E the hook being forward of said head. Rearward of said hook, the body, B, has a forward transverse, fixed partition, B which has on the axial line of the body, B, a circular opening, B.

Immediately forward of the cross-pin, B, is a sleeve, C, fitting slidably against the inspring, C of approximately the diameter of said sleeve and having its rear end bearing against said sleeve while its. forward end bears against the partition, B, said partition constituting an abutment for said spring.

The function ofsaid spring is to hold the sleeve, C, yieldingly toward the cross-pin,

Forward of the cross-pin, B", a crosspin, G has its ends seated in the walls of the sleeve, C. Immediately at the front of the cross-pin C is a partition, B on the forward face of which is a central, forwarddirected abutment,.B At opposite sides of said abutment, said partition has ports, B for the forward passing of grease from the tube, A. Forward of the abutment, B the interior of. the sleeve, C, is contracted 'to mission port covering member.

form a slanting annular face, C

A. cylindrical nozzle or plunger, D, rests slidably in the sleeve, C, and in the opening, B, in the partition, 13*, the nozzle fitting so closely to the inner face of the sleeve, C, as

to prevent the passing ofthe grease between the sleeve and the nozzle. The rear end of the nozzle is expanded to form a head, D

which seats on the slanting face, C of the.

inner sleeve. When the nozzle moves rearard, said head bears against the abutment, B whereby the rearward movement of the nozzle is arrested. A spring, D, surrounds the abutment, B and bears against the head, D and the partition, B 'From its forward end rearward to the head, D, the nozzle has a bore, D extending along the axial line of the nozzle. Near the head, D, of the nozzle is a lateral or side admission ort, D which communicates with the-bore, and is normally covered by the sleeve, C, the head of the nozzle then resting against the slanting seat, C Thus said sleeve constitutes an ad- The forward e d of the nozzle, D, maybe of any desired form. In the drawing it is shown tapering ,to adapt ,it to enter the mouth of the receiving member, E.

Theoperation of this part or group of the mechanism is as follows:

The connectlon is to be applied as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of ,the drawings, the hook,

B embracing the neck of the receiving me nber, E, below the head, E of said member,

and the nozzle, D, being opposite and near the mouth or port of the receiving member. Grease pressure is now turned on through the transmission tube, A. The grease then passes through, the ports, B and against the head, D of the nozzle, D, and against the far as permitted-bythe spring. Such movement uncoversthe port, D in the nozzle, whereby a continuous passage is formed from the transmission tube, A, through the nozzle and into the receiving member, E.

If pressure is turned on, in the transmission tube, A, when the connection is not applied to the receiving member, E, the grease pressure drives the nozzle and the sleeve, C, forward until the spring, C is fully compressed. Then forward movement is arrested, the port, D remaining covered by the sleeve, C. The coils in the spring are preferably of a number and thickness adapted to attain full compression shortly after the sleeve moves forwardbeyond the position needed for uncovering the port, D when the nozzle seats on the receiving member. Since the port, D ,-thus remains .covered when there'is grease pressure during the absenoe of the receiving member, there can' then be no discharge of grease through the connection, notwithstanding the grease pressure. 1 I

The. group of mechanism illustrated by Figs. 9 to 14, inclusive, is associated with the connection above described for the pur-' pose of controlling'fiow from a grease pump through the transmission tube, A, to the connection of Figs. 2 to 8, inclusive, above described. This controlling or cut of? structure serves to permit or cut ofl flow of grease through the transmissiontube; and when the movable parts of this second or controlling structure move into position to cut off or stop such flow, said parts effect a back pressure toward the pump, whereby there is created a suction or a partial vacuum in the part of the transmission tube f rward of the second structure. By this me, ns grease pressure in the connection illustrated by Figs. 2 to 8, inclusive, is, so much reduced as to facilitate the return of the movable parts of said connection to their normal or rest positions by the expansion of the spring, 0, of the connection;

In Figs. 9 to 14;,inclusive,"F is a cylin drical, fixed sleeve in alignment with the transmission tube, A, and having its right hand end surrounding and immovably secured to the part of the transmission tube which comes from the pump. Forward (toward the left) of the tube, A, the sleeve, F, is contracted internally to form an annular shoulder, F Within the sleeve,- at the in ner end of the tube, A, is a cross partition, I

. F having at its middle a forward directed lug, F At each side of said lug the par tition has a port, Ft. 1

In the forward or left hand part of the sleeve, F, is the rear part of a nozzle or plunger, G, slidable in the sleeve and having at its rear end a head, G which is normally 'held against the annular shoulder, F, by the expanding 'coiled spring, G, one end of which is seated against said head and the other end of which is seated against the cross partition,'F Said spring may yield to allow the nozzle to move rearward rela-;

tive to the sleeve until -that movement is arrested by the head bearing against the lug, F.

An outer movable sleeve, H, slidably su-rrounds the fixed sleeve, F. The sleeve, H, is extended forward beyond the sleeve, F, and beyond an expanding coiled spring, J which surrounds the nozzle, G. Then the sleeve,

H, is contracted to form a neck H fitting slidably around the forward part of the nozzle, G. This a shoulder, H is formed which constitutes an abutment for the forward end of the spring,.J, the rear end of said spring bearing against the forward end of the sleeve, F. Said spring tends to press the sleeve, F, rearward and the sleeve, H, forward. Forward of the nozzle, G, the

sleeve, H, has a cross partition, K, in which Forward of said partition,

the contracted part or neck of the sleeve, H, surrounds the 'rear end of the forward seeis a port, K

tion of the transmission tube, A.

The nozzle, G, has a bore, G reaching from its forward end rearward to the head, G A side admission port, G extends from the rear end of said bore outward radially through the wall of the nozzle. Vhen the head, G of the nozzle is seated on the shoulder, F ofthe inner sleeve, F, the port, G is covered by the sleeve, F, so that grease can not pass from the tube, A, into the port,

G But whenj; .t he nozzle is pushed rearward relative to the sleeve, F, the'spring, G, be'coming compressedythe head, G of the nozzle becomes unseated. Thus the port,

G or a part thereof, becomes uncovered for;

the admission of grease through said port into the bore, G, of the nozzle. This rearward movement begins when the cross p'artition, K, bears against the forward end of the nozzle, as will appear further on. h

At its rear, the sleeve, H, has an ear, H extending rearward and outward and adapt: ed to receive a pintle, H which is tangen handle and the outer sleeve, H, through reversemovement, whereby the partition, K,

't-ial to a circle which is concentric to the fixed sleeve, F. A handle, I, at the rear of the ear, H has ears, I, at opposite sides of the ear, H The pintle, H", extends through said three cars and joins the handle to the outer sleeve, H. At the forward end of the handle, an arm, I extends downward at each side of the fixed sleeve, F. Each of said arms has an upright slot 1 which re-' ceives a stud, I, hated on the side of the fixed sleeve, F.

Between the ears, I. the handle has a shoulder, I ,'ada'pted to bear against the uppenface of the inner sleeve, F, to-limit forward movement of the outer sleeve, H. An expanding spring, J, is placed between the handle, I, and the transmission tube, A, and tends to lift the handle. 1 1

The operation of this part'of the mechanism is as'follows; Y v Normally the spring, J ,holds the handle inthe raisedposition for holding the sleeve,

H, in its forward position, the: head, G

resting on the'shoulder,F- The lugs, I, serve as fuleri for \the handle, I, and the shoulder, I limits the forward movement byhearing againstthe outer face of the."

Then the nozzle prevents further rearward movement of the-outer sleeve. The wall, K,

serves as an abutment for the forward end of the nozzle. qThus the admission port, G is open and grease passes forward throu h said port-and the nozzle and the port, la, in the partition, and through the forward-section of the transmission tube, A, to the forward group of mechanism. There, as

already described, the pressure of the grease automatically shifts the nozzle, D, and the sleeve, C, until said nozzle-is arrested by thehead, E of the receiving member, E. and

thereafter drives the sleeve, C, forward independently of the nozzle until the admisort, D is open.

sharp t en the hand of the operator releases the handle, I, the springs,..]' and 'J p the e1r moves away from the forwardend of the nozzle. B,=thus leaving, the 'nqgzfzle' free to move forwarliflin the sleeve,-F,*? by the for ward pressure of; the spring, G until the head, G ,;of the nozzle is again seated on the inclined face, F, of the sleeve, F, whereby the side admission port, G, of the nozzle is again cover-ed and the forw'ar grease is cut ofl"; Relatively, the nozzle, .G, and the inner sleeve, F. move rearward within the outer sleeve, .H, This tends to make vacant space or create partial vacuum in the forward part of the sleeve, whereby forward pressure of the grease against the head, 1),, and the inner sleeve, C, of the forward or connecting group ofpme'chanisms is reduced, whereby rearward movement of the nozzle, D, and the inner sleeve, C, by the action of. the spring, C is facilitated, SIICll .rearward movement, as above described,

causing the sleeve, C, to again cover the side admission vacuum action will depend upon the size of "the parts in the second group and thedisport, D The intensity of the tance the nozzle moves.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the forward orconnecting group of mechanism is operated automatically through variation in grease pressure transmitted through the tube, A, and that the grease pressure is applied by the operatorthrough 'the second group of mechanism. It will be observed that the forward or connecting groupof mechanism is compact and adapted. to reach into limited and difiicult places for connection relative to a grease receiving member;

In Figs. 15.and 16, the structure is the same as-in the preceding figures, excepting that the outer sleeve, H, is not contracted to form the neck, vH, and the shoulder, H On the contrar said sleeve is extended forward with uni orm diameter to the wall, K.

The partition, F and the spring, G, are also omitted. The handle spr ng, J,"is re tained and is made strong enou h to cause 1 the shiftingof the outer sleeve, independently of the spring, J, of Fig. 9.

As a substitute for't he spring, G, of Fig.

9, a spring, G", is used to (ivieldingly hold the. nozzle, G, in its forwar the side admission port, G iscovered. A

position whereby rin G is threaded around the forward emf of the nozzle and fits slidably in the outer sleeve, H. The spring, Gfi-surrounds the nozzle and a small sleeve, G", the for-' ward end of the springbearing against the ring, G", and-the rear endof the "spring bear end ,of the inner Then the movement ,of the'sleeve,. H,-'con-.-

tinues, the nozzle being carried with the sleeve, until. the ,small sleeve, G, bears against the ring, G and also against the,

forward end of the sleeve, F. Then the sleeve, H, an'd the nozzle move no further.

The rearward movement'made by the nozzle in the sleeve, F, has caused the unseating of the head, G from. the shoulder, F whereby the side admission port, G has become uncovered;v When the handle, I, is

again released, the spring, J, reverses the ppsition of the handle, whereby the sleeve,

and the nozzle, G, are again pressed forward lnto their normal or rest positions, the

' head of the nozzle bein seated and the forward endof the nozzle the partition,

Ii -speaking of sleeve, H, and the nozzle, G,Jlt is to be uning separated from the .movements of the derstood that movement relative to the inner sleeve, F., is intended. For the sleeve,

H, may be held stationary when the handle,

I, is being depressed. In that case, the in- Vacuum action is prod'ucedwhen the nozzle. and the each other.

.On comparing'the connecting mechanism with the controlling mechanism, it will be seen that the connecting mechanism can be placed into a space too limited to receive the controlling mechanism with its handle and the hand of the operator.

This apparatus is specially adapted to be applied to a relatively long transmission tube leading from a power grease gun. I claim as my invention: 1.- In an'apparatus of the kind described, thecombination' with a transmission tube, of a connecting mechanism located at the discharge end of said tube includin ing" member adapted to be moved y pressure of lubricant in the tube into contact partition, K, are moved from with a nipple, and a controlling mechanism on said tube, the controlling mechanism comprisin two telescoping sleeves axially in line w1th the tube, the forward one of said sleeves being attached to the adjacent end of the forward section of said tube and the rear one of said sleeves being attached to the adjacent end of the rear section of said tube, and a valve member slidable in said sleeves and adapted to seat in the rear sleeve when in its forward position in 'the rear sleeve and the valve member and the forward sleeve being formed for inter-engagement. during forward movement of the rear sleeve whereby the valve member is unseated, 'and -means for moving the rear sleeve forward and rearward relative to the forward sleeve, such rearward movement tending to create a vacuum mthe controlling mechanism, substantially :ts described.

2. In an apparatus of the kinddescribed,

. IHO

aslidthe combination with a transmission tube,

of a connectingmechanismlocated at the discharge end of said tube including a sliding member adapted to be moved by pressure of lubricant in the tube into contact with a nipple, and a controlling mechanism on said-tube, the controlling mechanism comprising two telescoping s'leeves axially in line with the. tube, the forward one of said sleeves being attached to the adjacent end of the.forward section of said tube and the rear one of said sleeves being attached to the adjacent end of the rear section of said ctube, fand .a valve member shdablein said sleeves and adapted to seat in the rearsleeve when in its forward position in the -rear sleeve and the forward sleeve bearing means for limiting forward movement of the valve member during forward movement of the rear sleeve whereby the valve j member is unseated, and means for moving 'the rear sleeve-forwardand rearward rela tive to; the forward'sleeve, such'rearward movement-tending to create a vacuum 1n the. controlling mechanism, substantially as described.

3. In anapparat us of the kind described,'

the combination with a transmission tube, of a connecting mechanismlocated at the d15- charge end of said tube includinga -sliding mem when in its forward position in th'e'rear,

er adapted to be 'moved byples'suzre of lubricant in, the tube into contact. witha ni ple, and a controlling mechanism on s a1d tube, the controlling mechanism COMPIISI Hg two telescoping sleeves axially in line with the tube, the forward one ofsaidsleevesbeing attached to the adjacent'end of the forward section of said tube and the rear one of saidisleeves being'attached to theadjacent end'of the rear section of said tube, and a n'oz zle-form valve member slidable in said sleeves and adapted toseat in the rear sleeve sleeve and thevalve member and the'=for-' ward sleeve being formed for inter-engagement during forward movement of-the rear sleeve whereby the valve member isunseated, and means'for moving the rear sleeve forward and rearward regllative to the forward sleeve, such rearwar mechanism, substantially as described.

4;. In an apparatus of the, kind described, the combination with a transmission tube, of a connecting' mechanism located at the discharge end of said tube including a sliding member adapted to be moved by pressure of lubricant in the tube into contact with a I nipple, and a controlling mechanism on said tube, the controlling mechanism comprlsing two telescoping sleeves axially in line with .the't'ube, the forward one of said sleeves bemg attached to the adjacent end of theiforward section ofsaid tube and the rear one:

i of said sleeves being attached to the adjacent end of the rear section of said tube, and a nozzle-form valve member having a side movement tend-. ing to create a vacuum in the controlling- ;port and slidable in said sleeves and adapted 'to seatin the rear sleeve when in itsforward position in the rear sleeve and thevalve member and the forward sleeve being formed .for'interengagement during forward move- .ment of the rear sleeve whereby the valve member is unseated, andimeans for moving the; rear sleeve forward and rearward relavtive to the forward sleeve, such rearward movement tending to create a vacuum in the controlling mechanism, substantially-as described. i 1

Inan apparatus of the kind described, the combination with a transmission tube, of a connecting mechanism located at the discharge end of said tube including a slidking member-adapted to be moved by pressure of lubricant in the tube into contact witha nipple, and a controlling mechanismthe forward sleeve being formed for inter-.

engagement during. forward movement of a the rear sleevewhereby the valve member is' unseated, and meansfor movlng the rear sleeve forward and rearward relative to the forward sleeve,- such rearward movement tendi 'g to, create a vacuum in the controlling aechanism', substantially as described. 6. Inan apparatus of the kind described, the combination with a transmission tube, J of a connecting mechanism located at the discharge end of said tube includin a sliding member adapted .to be moved y pressure of lubricant in the tube into contact with a nipple, and 'a controlling mechanism on said tube, the controlling mechanism comprising two telescoping sleeves axially in line withthe tube, the forward one of said sleeves. being attached to the adjacent end i of the forward section of said tube and'the rear one of said sleeves being attached to the adjacent end of the rear section of said tube, and a valve member slidable in said sleeves and adapted tofseat in the rear sleeve when in its forward position in the rear.

sleeve and the'valve member and the forward sleeve beingformed, for inter-engagement. during forward movement of the rear sleeve whereby the valve member is unoseated, means yieldingly resisting forward movement of the rear sleeve relative to the "forward sleeve, and-means for movin the rear sleeve forward and rearward relative to the forward sleeve, such rearward movement tending to create a vacuum in the controlling mechanism, substantially asdeScribed.

7. In, an apparatus of the kind described, the combination with a transmission tube, of a connecting mechanism located at the discharge end of said tube includinga sliding member adapted to be moved bypressuie of lubricant in the tube into contact with a nigple, and a controlling mechanism on said tu e, the controlling mechanism-comprisingtwo telescoping sleeves axially in line with the tube, the forward one of said. sleeves being attached to the adjacent end of the forward section of said tube and the rear one of said sleeves being attached to the adjacent adapted to seat in the rear sleeve when in its forward position in the rear sleeve and the valve member and the forward sleeve being formed for inter-engagement durin forward movement of the rear sleeve whereby the valve member is unseated, means yieldingly resisting rearward movement of the valve member in the .rear sleeve, and means for moving the rear sleeve forward and rearward relative to the forward sleeve, such rearward movement tending tocreate a vacuum in the controll1ng mechamsm, substantially as described. In testimony whereof I have signed my name, this 17th day' of May, in the yeaT one thousand nine hundred and twenty-two.

HUGH W. SANFORD. 

